Unemployed need not apply – now illegal in New Jersey

Posted by dankeller in job hunting | 5 comments

We all know that it is illegal to not hire someone based on gender, race or disabilities.  Now we can add “being unemployed” to the list, at least in New Jersey.

Yesterday, the NJ legislature passed a bill that prohibits companies from publishing a job post that states that the unemployed need not apply.

As an employment professional I have a lot of opinions on this topic and wanted to share them publicly on my blog in the hopes of sparking a discussion on this topic.

• First off, how stupid are these companies?  To actually write that on a job post is pure stupidity and the recruiters or managers that approved it should be fired for poor judgement.
• This law is laughable and in my opinion just a public relations stunt.  It is much easier to pass this law then it is to actually do something to fix the systemic problems of unemployment.  Now the companies in New Jersey will be mindful of this and refrain from mentioning this in their postings.  This does not mean that they will stop the practice of discriminating just because they are not publishing it.  The law says nothing about the actual practice of not hiring someone because they are unemployed.
• As a recruiter who has worked on the ageny and corporate side for over 12 years I can tell you that I have hired more unemployed people over the last 2 years then the first 10 years of my career.  The reason is simple, the stimgma of being unemployed has actually decreased not increased as the media would lead you to believe.
• I wonder how much money was spent to pass this law.  Surely the money could have been used for a variety of programs to better help those who are unemployed find jobs through training, interview coaching or resume writing services.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think this will spread to other states or perhaps become federal law?

7 Most Common Mistakes Job Seeker Make and How to Avoid them

Posted by dankeller in job hunting | Comments Off

We all know the job market sucks right now.  If you are a job seeker chances are you are sending aout a lot of resumes and not getting a positive response.  Maybe you are getting interviews but still not getting the job.  Perhaps it is time to stop blaming the economy and start evaluating your job searching process.  Maybe you are making some mistakes.  Take a look below at the 7 most common mistakes that job seekers make. 

Mistake #1:

Failure To Showcase Your Strengths

If it has been a while since your last job search, you need to know that things have changed. From newspaper job postings to submitting a resume, the job-search process is evolving. The Internet has made things easier, and, at the same time, more complicated. Thanks to email you can now submit 100 resumes or more in an hour. So can your competition. More resumes leads to an overwhelmed Human Resources (HR) Dept. In that kind of environment it is easy to get lost. You must find a way to stand out from the crowd! When bidding on a position, it is important that you take time to evaluate yourself and take an inventory of what your are good at and what your areas of improvements are.  If you know your  strength you will be prepared to discuss your value proposition and what you can offer the company.  

Identify your skills

 You should be able to highlight your skills and abilities from the standpoint of the person making the hiring decision. Many job seekers have a difficult time articulating what they could bring to the table, because they don’t want to be perceived as being a braggart. This is not the time to be humble or shy. The hiring manager is seeking someone with a unique set of skills to help them solve their pain! It is essential that you convey to your potential employer what you are capable of. The key to landing the job you are seeking is to convince the manager that you are the person who can solve their problems and make their life easier.  It is time to put on your selling hat.  Sell yourself! 

Quantify results

 This is your ticket to getting interviews that will lead to job offers. The language of business is numbers – so try to use numbers to quantify the results you have had in your past positions. 

Don’t be a jerk

 This seems pretty strait forward, but it is important to walk the fine line of being confident but not being arrogant.  Do not sell yourself short but be careful that you don’t come off as an ass.  

Mistake #2:

Failure To Create A Winning Resume

Your resume is perhaps the most important marketing tool you will use in your job search. A resume helps potential employers see how you can help them. Show a clear work history with quantifiable results from your past. Your resume will get about 8 seconds of attention from an HR recruiter or a hiring manager. For that reason it is EXTREMELY important for your resume to stand out! Failure to make your case in 8 seconds will get your resume tossed into the “no thanks” pile. You don’t want that! Today’s resumes must include two things: a clear professional summary, and quantified statements of past results. Employers are not looking for “employees.” They are looking for someone who can solve their problems. In order for you to stand out you need to show them that you understand what their problems are and that you alone are uniquely qualified to solve those problems (see Mistake #1). One mistake job seekers make is that they try to include too much on their resume. “More is better,” right? WRONG! Less is more when it comes to getting past the first screening. Your resume should be focused and targeted. Errors will get your resume dumped in the trash! Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check it for errors at least three times. Have someone proof read it for you to find the mistakes you might have missed. After researching the company or position, you should format your resume to match the needs of the job posting. More importantly, show the hiring manager how you can help him or her solve their business problems! Provide examples from your past to let them know you can help them sleep better at night. Your resume should be focused on the position for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for an accounting job, you should list in detail your accounting experience. Don’t include things that aren’t important to the position. Don’t tell us about your pet iguana, unless you are applying for a job as a veterinarian. Do show how you helped your last employer reorganize their book keeping system, thereby saving them tens of thousands of dollars. It is ideal to keep the length of the resume to one or two pages. Anything over two pages won’t even get read. Remember, you have eight (8) seconds to make an impression. Use them wisely!

 Mistake #3:

Failure to Have a Plan

Having (or not having) a strategic plan for the job search is perhaps the ONE thing that separates job seekers who get multiple offers from those who keep running into dead ends. Many job seekers waste an enormous amount of time doing the wrong things in their job search. Thus, the search takes longer and the opportunities for finding a good fit are fewer. Job seekers without a plan take nearly twice as long as those who have (and follow) one. Job seekers who have a plan spend time focusing on important activities that will bear fruit in the job search. Those without a plan may be “busy”, but their efforts are often fruitless. Never mistake “being busy” with “being productive.” If you want to avoid this mistake, you will need a clear strategy for finding the perfect career fit for this time in your life. Job seekers without a plan for the job search often settle for something that isn’t quite right, because they are overwhelmed with the need to get a paycheck. Those who follow a carefully laid out plan often find themselves trying to decide which of several offers to accept! Wouldn’t you LOVE to have that problem? In order to create an effective plan, you will need to follow a system. There are many systems out there. They may look different, but the goods ones share most of the same basic principles. The good systems will cut time off the job search, will help you negotiate for a higher salary, and they will help you find a job that fits you best at this time in your life.

Think for a minute, what process or system are you currently using inyour job search? Is it working? Would you benefit from exploring other options?

Mistake #4:

Failure To Network

It is said that 60% (or more) of all jobs are found through some form of networking referral. If you don’t get introduced directly to a hiring manager, your resume goes into a pile of several hundred other resumes. If it goes into that pile your chances of ever talking to a real person are effectively zero! That being said, sitting in front of your computer all day is NOT a good way to find a job. We recommend that job seekers stay off the computer during daylight hours. Get out of your house and in front of LOTS of people. That’s networking and it really works!

Referrals get interviews.

Having a referral from one of the company employees can go a long way toward landing an interview. A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds, but more than 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals (i.e. networking). The odds of getting hired when you have a referral are very high if you have another 200 to 500 applicants vying for the same position. If you do not know anyone from the company that could give you a referral, it is a good idea to network with other associates from your college or university, trade groups, social networks, and professional organizations. LinkedIn is a great resource for finding people who could introduce you to someone in a specific company. Remember, having a referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position. You will find that more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online. You DON’T want to be one of these people if you can at all help it. However, if applying online is your only option, your emails regarding the job application should be polished and well articulated.

Mistake #5:

Failure To Follow Up

It is extremely important to follow up on all interviews and contacts. Don’t “sit and wait” for results to come pouring in just because you think you’ve done your part by passing out your resume or completing an interview.

Consider the following scenario:

Two men apply for a prime position at the same company. The first applicant is a bit more qualified. However, after the interview the first applicant just sits by his phone waiting to hear from his prospective employer. On the other hand, the second applicant sends a hand-written thank you note to follow up. He distributes his contact information to other people that he has met in the company. Furthermore, the second guy does a follow-up phone call to check on the results of the job interview a few days later. The first applicant has not been heard from, because he is relying on the basic “don’t call us, we’ll call you” routine. Who do you think will have a greater chance of getting the job?

The first applicant is slightly more qualified, but, since he did not follow up or even send a thank-you note to the interviewer, in the end, he probably will not get the job. If you are still waiting for that job offer and you do not follow up on your contacts, your chances of getting hired become slimmer as time passes. In business, following up on your contacts is a sure-fire way to spread the word and expand your opportunities. Hiring managers know this and reward the ones who take initiative to follow up. The same is true of networking meetings. Meeting someone at a networking event and then for coffee is a great start, but it’s just the beginning of the relationship. After your meeting, follow up with any assignments you have accepted. Check in days or weeks later to stay in touch. Introduce your new connections to people who can help them achieve their goals. Remember, the money is in the follow up. Set yourself up to succeed ahead of time. Purchase a stock of note cards, envelopes and stamps. Keep them in a convenient place so you can write a note the same day as the interview or networking meeting.

Mistake #6:

Failure To Prepare

Prepare and rehearse for your interviews – even for informational interviews. After the date and venue have been set, allow time for enough preparation for the big day. Remember that first impressions last, so the way an applicant presents himself or herself really does matter. Employers could easily make a hiring decision based on your dress, the way you talk, or the firmness of your handshake during the initial interview. It is important to consider the surroundings of the company granting you an interview. There is no reason to be inappropriately or poorly dressed at your interview. In fact, it is a good rule of thumb to dress up a notch for any situation. Don’t gloss over the importance of appearance. Some might say that the inner characteristics of the person matter more, but in reality, you only have one chance to make an impression. Being prepared also extends to your professional behavior. A survey conducted by a California staffing firm in correspondence with 1,400 chief financial officers concluded that candidates made serious mistakes in their interviews. Some of the most common mistakes they made included:

1) Arriving late

2) Having little knowledge about the company

3) Having little knowledge about the position

4) Having a superiority complex

5) Behaving arrogantly

Since you can be in complete control of when you arrive, your preparation ahead of time, and how you dress and act, there is no excuse for any of these mistakes! In addition, your online presence must be clean and professional. 80% of hiring managers say they will Google a prospective applicant before they decide to interview them. What does a Google search on your name  produce? Have you Googled yourself lately?

Be confident. Your body language should show that you are confident but not overpowering. Maintain eye contact, have a strong handshake, and avoid looking defensive by crossing your arms. Pay attention to the interviewer. If you get permission you may wish to take a few notes, but don’t spend all of your time focusing on your paper. An interview is a conversation to see if you can do the job and if you are a good fit for the company.

Dress professionally

 Wearing the right clothes is crucial for projecting confidence. As they say, it is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. You can always take off your jacket or tie, but you can’t put one on if you don’t have it with you. One HR manager told us, “I didn’t hire the guy who showed up for the interview in flip-flops.” Don’t be “that guy” (or “that gal”)!

Answer questions intelligently and succinctly

 A common mistake of interviewees is that they tend to get tense and forget the questions that are given to them. This gives the impression that you are not prepared for the interview. It is important to research the company and the position for which you are applying to prevent being sidetracked during the interview. In answering questions, focus on what you can do for the company. Use accomplishment statements that give quantified results from previous work experience. If you do not know the answer to a question being asked, it is better to admit you don’t know the answer. Look for the skills or expertise that the company needs, so when interview day comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths and core competencies, you will be able to match them to what the company needs.

Be consistent

 What’s true for an interview should be true for every other part of your life as well. You never know when or where you will run into a prospective employer. That conversation you have in the supermarket check out line may just be the one that leads to an interview. For this reason, we recommend that EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE you prepare as if you are going for an  interview. While you are on the job hunt, you should dress professionally and be ready to give your “elevator pitch” everywhere you go. As with your dress, the way you conduct yourself (at all times) is extremely important. You ARE being watched. By everyone. Don’t under estimate the importance of the person greeting you at the front desk or answering the phone in making a hiring decision. Treat every person you meet as someone who deserves respect and attention. Their recommendation may be just what is needed in order for you to get the job!

Mistake #7:

Failure To Ask For Help

Many people think they can find a job on their own, so they don’t ask for help. In a sense, they are right. People DO find jobs without the assistance of anyone else. However, on average they spend twice as much time looking for work, they don’t make as much money, and  they have a more difficult time finding the right career fit. Since most people find their job through some form of networking, turning to others on the job search is a smart idea. At the same time, you want to be aware of people who are eager to take advantage of job seekers. Since the job search process can be involved, it’s wise to seek counsel from someone who is skilled at helping people navigate the job search waters – i.e. career coach or a job counselor. It’s important to seek out the support of friends during the job search, but sometimes friends just don’t cut it. They may not have the expertise to help you find the perfect career. Career coaches and job counselors work closely with recruiters and hiring managers to learn the most up to date techniques for finding a job. However, some of the people who present themselves as “experts” are not. How can you tell the difference? Here are some questions that we recommend you ask of a career coach, a job counselor, or even of a website offering assistance:

• • Does the counselor/coach/website have significant experience in helping people through the job search process? (Experience matters in the job search!)
• • Does the counselor/coach/website utilize a system or model that is proven to be effective? (See Mistake #3 above)
• • Are they are willing to share their approach with you PRIOR to your making a commitment? (Many career coaches offer a free session and many websites offer a trial subscription)
• • Do they have testimonials from people who have worked with them? (You can learn a lot by what others think!)

Asking for assistance in the job search is not a sign of weakness. It’s a signal that you are willing to learn from the experts! People who ask for help often find the job search to be a fun and enlivening experience.

Conclusion: Don’t Make Common Mistakes in Your Job Search

Now that you are aware of the common deadly mistakes of job seekers, there is no need for you to duplicate them. By contrast, you will enhance your potential for finding a job if you simply:

• Showcase your strengths

• Create a winning resume

• Have a plan

• Network

• Follow up

• Be prepared

• Ask for help

From Battlefield to Business Suit

Posted by dankeller in Career Development | 1 comment

Ever since I was out of high school, I’ve a military man. I went from algebra and PE to combat training and PT and honestly that’s all I’ve professionally known in my adult life. I know how to survive in the desert under enemy fire, behind enemy lines. I know how to ration my food and water to last me on extended patrols. Anybody who’s ever served will understand this: I know how to clean something that is already clean. When I got home from my third deployment, my second term of service was coming to an end and I felt it was time to go another direction with my life. I had a family to support and I wanted to enter the civilian world but what am I going to do with these skills? I was a rifleman. How does that translate into corporate America? I was 26 years old and I had risen to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps., did I really have to start at the bottom again?

The answer is no.

While my survival and combat skills didn’t directly translate to the corporate world, values like communication, leadership, and overall awareness that were instilled in me by the military did. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially in today’s job market, but I remembered my training and these values helped me through civilian life the same as they helped me through the military. Three qualities in particular were especially helpful in the search for a civilian career:

1. Determination to help me push through when it seemed helpless. I never gave up
   the job search or faltered in my steps toward becoming a successful civilian, no matter how
   discouraging the process. Beyond the search, I never gave up a promising lead as a marketing
   manager. I am an immovable, undiscouragable marketing machine now thanks to some
   marketing seminars and good old boot camp.
2. Discipline to stay on task and get it done in an efficient and timely matter. There
   were plenty of distractions, but I just kept on keeping on. Just like combat or even PT, you
   keep going until it’s done. Additionally, I have the the discipline of years of
   military drilling to follow my chain of command and lead an efficient work place.
3. Self awareness to know myself and my team, know their skills and know
   our limitations. I was able to properly apply myself and my resources in an effective manner to
   avoid wasting my time and energy on dead ends or lost causes.

I also found out fairly quickly in my search that I was wrong about there not being any call for my survival and combat skills in the American work force. A career in the police force or as a security personnel would incorporate many of the skills that one develops through time in the military including strict discipline, weapons handling and how to diffuse potentially violent situations. These are noble, interesting professions that are a logical next step to take after you exit the military as your time in the military often counts as a form of job experience!

If you’re still struggling to find a job and law enforcement and security don’t appeal to you, your best resource is going to be the Tip of the Arrow Foundation. They were the first organization dedicated entirely to military veterans like me who are looking to enter the job market, but only known the military and have little or no civilian work experience. They’re a non-profit organization so you don’t have to pay to join like many other employment pages. Volunteers are standing by to help any veteran who comes to them and these folks are good at what they do. These professional job-getters not only help you build a resume and find a job for yourself, they follow up and help you keep your job and advance quickly through the ranks. The idea behind the business is that they are paying vets back, helping veterans states-side who have kept them safe while on deployment. This is my number one suggestion for any person in a similar situation to my own.

This was a guest post from John D. – John is an Operation Freedom War veteran and a manager for Airsplat, the nation’s largest retailer of Airsoft Guns including Spring Airsoft Rifles.

Recent Grads: Ignore the Pundits and Stick with Your First Full-Time Gig

Posted by dankeller in Career Development | 1 comment

As someone who reads quite a few career advice websites, I’ve noticed a specific trend that is given to a whole lot of overly-enthusiastic, “revolutionary” rhetoric, and it’s closely tied up with massive unemployment we’ve seen in the past few years. Of course, as James Carrville had pointed out decades ago, it’s the economy, stupid. But another reason behind increasing unemployment, even in white-collar sectors, are the twin ravages of advancing technology and outsourcing. Of course, these factors certainly play a part in the current scarcity of jobs, but many career career advisors tell us that this is something to be happy about! The new economy means we have more career flexibility! Gone are the days of sticking with one company!

 The positive spin on the work of this new economy sounds a bit suspect to me, making the best of pretty bad situation in which stability and security are no longer given. The rise of contract work does mean more flexibility, but it also means saying goodbye to benefits packages and certainty about our futures. Instead of embracing the advice of career gurus who claim that jumping from gig to gig is a sound career strategy for the 21st century, I’d consider taking a more conservative approach, especially if you are new to the working world.

 The group that has taken one of the biggest hits during the recession in terms of employment has been those from “my” generation, recent college graduates. Finding full-time work has become so difficult in some areas that many newly minted college graduates are either taking a gap year, doing internships, or heading back to graduate school. In lieu of finding steady employment, these strategies are all fine. But once you do find a steady, full-time job, even if it doesn’t completely cohere with your interests and career goals, don’t quit or moving on to something else when you get bored, as some of this new career advice suggests.

 As employees new to the work force, getting used to a 9-to-5 is difficult, and (as many of my friends have done) the tendency to throw your hands up in the air and move on to another job after a few months is tempting. But there are way more advantages to sticking with your entry-level for at least two years, more than you would suspect. For one, despite this flexible new economy, trust-building is still one of the most important factors in getting a job. If your resume shows that you worked at two or three different places in the past couple of years, how are employers to read this? It demonstrates that you can’t make up your mind, that you can’t invest enough time in one company such that an employer investing in you would be a gamble. So when you’ve been working at the entry level for a few years, and you are finally going for your dream job with enough experience under your belt, who do you think looks more favorable in the eyes of “dream boss”? The kid who never stayed long enough with one company to demonstrate growth and potential, or the kid who stuck out that entry-level job, built contacts, and expanded the parameters of his position?

 Another reason to stick with your first full-time gig is that, since benefits are becoming scarcer and scarcer, taking as much advantage of them as you can is simply the smart thing to do. Having a job with a severance package or basic unemployment benefits is potentially life-saving if you happen to get laid off. In contract work, none of this applies, and if you don’t have mom and dad footing the bill any more, having something to fall back on is extremely important. Trust me, from my friends’ experiences, I’ve known enough heart-breaking stories about being laid off from sans-benefits jobs that you really don’t want to go there.

 Of course, preparing yourself for the new economy is important, but it shouldn’t be done through thoughtless job-hopping. Finding something stable, and improve your skill set outside of work by doing freelance or contract stuff in your spare time. In an uncertain time, security is vital, and building trust and relationships so you can eventually find that job you love is absolutely instrumental.

 This guest contribution was submitted by Katheryn Rivas, who regularly writes for online universities. She can be reached via email at: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

Cold Contact Cover Letters: Waste of Time or Gateway to Your Dream Job?

Posted by dankeller in job hunting | 1 comment

As any career advice website will tell you, a majority of the best jobs out there are not advertised. So what’s a job seeker to do? Of course, most of these below-the-radar jobs are clinched by knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone (i.e. networking). So are cold contacts, in which you send out your info to a company you would love to work for, despite having no indication that the company has a vacancy in the first place, a complete waste of time? Many argue that yes, a positive response to a cold contact email is long shot, especially in an economic climate in which hiring is low. Still, although cold contacting should never be a primary job-seeking strategy, there are still things you can do to make sure that your long shot is a little closer than it would normally be. Here are a few tips.

1. Researching the company thoroughly is way more important for cold contact cover letters than it is for advertised jobs.
In order for cold contact emails to be effective, they need to demonstrate that they are worth being read. That being said, you need to show that you know the company and industry well. Do as much research as you can, and don’t limit your information to the company website. Pour over news articles mentioning the company as well as industry journals to get an in-depth insight into the company. If you know anyone who works for the company or for the general industry, talk to them first before sending your resume and cover letter.

2. Avoid cold contact stock phrases and make yourself stand out.
Employers, as a rule, generally delete cold contact emails. Why? Since they don’t need to fill any position immediately, they have no incentive to click on your email when they are probably busy going through hundreds of work-related emails that they do need to read. In this sense, standing out is absolutely critical. Don’t allow your cover letter to sound like the rest, so be sure to avoid stock phrases like “I am detail-oriented” or “I have a proven track record of”, etc., etc.

3. Be specific about what you want to do or can do for the company.
As mentioned in a previous CareerCopilot article, crafting a cover letter responding to a job ad requires you to address the specifics of the ad. But since you are writing a cold call cover letter, you don’t have a job ad to start with, so you’ll have identify the company’s needs that you think you can fulfill on your own. Even though you may not have a specific position in mind, it’s very important that you be extremely specific at the very beginning of your email, about what skills you have from which the company can benefit.

4. If you are sending an email, pay special attention to subject lines and opening sentences.
Since you are writing an email that isn’t in response to a job ad, employers don’t know to look out for cover letters in their inboxes. As such, your email can easily be overlooked if it sounds spammy in the subject line. So when deciding on a subject line, avoid generalities, don’t make it sound like car salesman pitch, and use specifics like [Your name], professional [current position] seeking opportunity with [target company name]. If it is true that you only have 20-30 seconds to impress a recruiting or hiring manager when applying for an advertised job, you have even less time than that to impress with a cold contact email. Address all relevant information about your skills and how they match the company as soon as you possibly can, in the first few lines of your email.

5. Offer to do something for the company on a contract basis that can prove your worth, getting your foot in the door toward long-term employment.
Since it is highly unlikely that an employer will open up a position just for someone whom they hardly know, you may want to set your sights a little lower than full-time employment to get your foot in the door. For example, you can mention that even if they don’t foresee a full-time opening, you would be more than glad to offer your services on a contract or freelance basis. Employers who aren’t currently hiring will be more open to taking on something that requires less commitment, essentially opening up a space for you to prove yourself and be the first person they consider when a position does open up.

Cold contacting is certainly no walk in the park, but if you are prepared for few responses and lots of research on your part, it could net you the gig you’ve been looking for. Above all, remember to be detailed, professional but friendly, and you may have more luck with these letters than you think. Good luck!

This post was written by :

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.

Musings on the concept of work-life balance

Posted by dankeller in Your Career | Comments Off

Work / Life or Life
Generation Y has a world in which there are increasing rules, regulations, processes and parameters which segment what they do and how they do it. Work/Life balance was a natural ‘philosophy’ that was bourne out of these cultural and societal changes.
Many a manager has been left standing open mouthed when asked by the mid management employee about the level of his ‘bonus’ and ‘the expected pay-rise for next year’. Many of these most demanding employees don’t make the connection with ‘bonus’ and pay rise to the contribution they make. The most vocal, according to a Recruiter survey, were those employees who worked 9-5, ignoring the financial and business crisis of the past 12 months, and lacked initiative.
Looking at the teaching of ‘work/life balance’, by inference, the term itself has an entire generation thinking consciously or unconsciously that work is somehow ‘outside’ of what is life. The phrase ‘work/life’ balance has inferred a negative connotation on working – be it a job or career. Generally speaking, there is an entire generation who justify many shortcomings, unhappiness or failures to be successful in their lives by blaming ‘work’. Anything from ‘spirituality void’ to ‘addictive and the cause of unhappiness, stress, health issues or marriage break-down’! Work is seen as an experience endured rather than enjoyed; a view of work (employment) as separate to everything else that makes up our lives.
Of course, life is one holistic whole rather than a juggling or balancing act between work and all the rest of our existence! Generation Y was led to believe ‘they could have it all’ and was never told how….
When I asked one of the most adamant ‘work to rule’ employees in my own firm how he was getting on with his football he said ‘Oh ya, forgot to tell you, have to leave early tonight for extra football’,- the team were not doing too well and he had to put in extra hours of practice. Does he enjoy it? Yes! Always? Well, most of the time. Does he miss out on his favourite TV shows because of the need for extra practice? ‘Yes’ Does he get paid for it? No! Does he get a bonus if he wins? No!
Like sport, drinking, relationships and music – work is no different. To truly enjoy work, one needs to embrace the challenges and situations that accompany it. Just because a person does not get the job or career they ‘want’ does not mean they can’t make the most out of what is a twist of fate or circumstance. A job, like sport, relationships, building a home and so forth are largely what we make it. The enjoyment, energy and benefits you receive are down to you.
Professionals in HR have the responsibility to coach and guide our employees. Many young professionals have been overwhelmed with technical or sales training but the emotional substance and guidance has not kept up. Do the older generations make too many assumptions perhaps? Induction programs, however modest, need to go back to basics. Set out the culture of the organization, spell out the flexibility and commitment needed for the role they are hired to do, don’t be scared to reiterate what you might think is common sense or patronizing.
Are you affected? A simple example/test for you is to ask yourself whether your thinking been affected by everyday phrases, such as ‘Work/Life Balance’, ‘Earn a living’, ‘Work for a living’, ‘Overtime’. Each one could imply that work has a negative effect on your life; work as the necessary evil interrupting what could otherwise be a utopian existence!

This post was written by Rosalyn Rahme – CEO of Goldjobs.com

6 Career Tips for tough stressful times

Posted by dankeller in Career Development | 1 comment

This month there seems to be something in the air making many of us feel restless at work. Perhaps it is stress. Maybe we are overloaded. Maybe it’s time for a change, for a new challenge and adventure.

This may be the sign and signal that you have been waiting for. Times are tough and the market is harsh so think carefully before making any rash decisions. For those who want to stick at it at least for a while, perhaps some of these pointers will help to re-engage you at work and put you in a better frame of mind for organizing your next move when you are ready:

1. Re-visit your career past and appreciate what you have done to date. What have you achieved, enjoyed, learnt and how did you get to where you are now,

2. Draw out your future goals. Where are you heading and how are you going to get there? Are you networking with the right people? Are you reading the right books? Do you have a coach / guide to help you with your career plan?

3. Audit your daily/monthly schedule. How are you managing your time? Do you have time for things outside of work as well as at work? Re-balance these things to increase energy levels, time efficiency and creativity.

4. Learn about your organisation and find ways to get more involved. What’s going on around you? What’s the company vision and objectives? Can you get more involved? Where can you contribute more?

5. Find areas that you can take charge of. Increase your learning. Seek out opportunities. Who’s ill or leaving? What is the company not doing so well that you can help improve on?

6. Get a mentor / guide. Make sure you are growing, learning, developing. Stay stimulated mentally. Make sure you are progressing towards where you want t

How to add a resume to my Linkedin profile – step by step guide

Posted by dankeller in job hunting, Resume | Comments Off

Last week I wrote about how I landed a job through networking on Linkedin.  I have received several comments and several emails with people who are wondering how to add their resume to their profile.

It is very easy to do but it is not easy to find this information, so hopefully this will help.

How to attach your resume to your Linkedin profile

Step 1

On your Linkedin home page, click on the “more” button and then click on the “more applications” button.

Step 2

Locate the application entitled “box.net” and click on it to install it on your Linkedin profile.

You will now be able to attach your resume to your Linkedin profile utilizing this application.

Find a Job through Social Media Networks

Posted by dankeller in job hunting | 2 comments

There have been many reports of people losing a job because of social media, whether by lambasting a boss on a publicly accessible profile or posting compromising photos. But on a more positive and productive note, sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can, with a little planning and extra work, be useful tools in finding gainful employment or improving your position within your own particular field. There are no guarantees but with the job market becoming increasingly competitive, any extra edge is an edge worth having. 

Of course it isn’t quite as simple as creating a profile and waiting for opportunities to come to you, or of changing your status to ‘Looking for a job, lol!’ Follow our tips below and you might just be able to land that elusive new position. 

Find the most relevant sites

 As a business orientated site with a professional networking slant, LinkedIn will probably be at the top of your list, but other big players on the social media scene, including Twitter and Facebook, can also play their parts.

In addition there are many smaller niche sites with forums, blogs, and resources. Some even have dedicated employment sections and, depending on your field, it may be worth investing a little time and energy creating and maintaining a presence on these. Some will be focused on the industry in a particular country or area, while others will be more general, but a quick search should turn up the most relevant to you.

 Examples include:

 Fashionising – Fashion

 Nurses Network – Nursing

 Designers Network – Design

 Active Rain – Real Estate

 Create a professional looking profile

 When using social media for job-hunting purposes, your profile will often be the first thing a potential employer sees, so it should look as professional as possible. LinkedIn profiles can be designed using the same principles as CV or résumé writing.

For other platforms, you should include more personal information and pictures (you don’t want to look too desperate or as if you have no life outside work) but work in your skills and don’t go too wild with the other stuff – employers might like you to be human, but they don’t need to see images of that toga party last New Year’s Eve.

 It may be worth setting up more than one profile – one for the job-hunting and others exclusively for friends. Bear in mind however that some potential employers will actively search for your (other) social media profiles, so pay attention to your privacy settings or simply don’t put any embarrassing content up there to begin with.

 Connect with the right people

 Enter as many professional contacts as possible to make the most of LinkedIn’s ‘connections’ features. It’s basically a ‘friend of a friend’ approach, opening an avenue to approach your contacts’ contacts (termed ‘second-degree connections’) and even your contacts’ contacts’ contacts (or ‘third degree connections’).

On other platforms, target companies you’re interested in and search for relevant individuals within those organisations. Join groups connected to your industry or area of interest and focus your efforts there, but it might also be worth casting your net wider when it comes to sites like Facebook. You never know when an old acquaintance or school friend might be able to help you out.

 Find the most relevant jobs for your experience

 It’s not just job-hunters using social media platforms. Employers are increasingly using them to advertise positions and, as well as approaching companies directly to pro-actively search for positions, you should be keeping an eye out for existing jobs that match your abilities and experience. Search the job listings on LinkedIn and on Twitter and keep an eye on the hashtag #jobangels, as well as the regular tweets of every company and organisation you’re following.

 Promote your own services and abilities

 It can be worth mentioning the fact that you’re job hunting on Twitter or Facebook on the off-chance that one of your contacts will approach you, but you should also take a more pro-active approach. Once you’ve identified contacts, interact with them by responding to their tweets or message board posts or via private messaging.

You’ll want to display your knowledge where appropriate but don’t over-do it – you want to establish contact and make yourself known, not come across like a stalker. A personally branded blog can be a good way of highlighting your skills and if you do invest time in this, make sure you link it to all your social networking profiles.

 Finding the right job, or sometimes any job at all, can be tough. Social networking sites don’t offer a magic solution but they can provide opportunities and shouldn’t be overlooked.

This was a guest post from:

Christian Arno is the founder and Managing Director of professional translation agency Lingo24, experts in the foreign language internet. Launched in 2001, Lingo24 now has over 140 employees spanning three continents and clients in over sixty countries. In the past twelve months, they have translated over 46 million words for businesses in every industry sector and their turnover for 2010 was £5m. Follow Lingo24 on Twitter: @Lingo24.

Start Early to Make Your Career Goals Attainable

Posted by dankeller in Career Development | 1 comment

If you know what job or field you’d like to pursue straight out of university, there are ways to ensure your ideal employer gives you a chance. Getting a head start on achieving your career goals is crucial. Don’t wait until your senior year of college to polish your skills and resume. Here are some tips on planning how to land your dream job:

Visit Your Career Services Center

Whether you are someone who knows exactly what to do with the rest of your life, or someone who has no idea, take the time to visit your university’s Career Services Center. Doing this early will prevent you from missing great opportunities and advice from peers, career advisors, and even employers. After you have settled into the routine of your first semester of college, schedule a meeting with your own career advisor during the start of second semester.  Listen carefully to their advice! Also, see if they can help you spruce up your resume.  What skills should you prioritize? How does your cover letter sound? What do certain employers look for in an employee? These are all questions career advisors can help answer. 

Career Fairs

 Once you visit your career services center, you will probably know when and which employers recruit from your university. They usually come to colleges throughout the US to give information sessions before recruitment.  Career fairs are an ideal time to network with representatives of companies in your area.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the qualities of ideal candidates, the coursework they want completed before graduation, and the best times to apply. Also, personally speaking with one of the representatives can help you in the long-run. Large companies usually have an online application process, and getting someone’s direct email address can help get your file to the right person. Lastly, be sure to dress in AT LEAST business casual attire during your visit to these networking events. You want to show that you are serious about joining the workforce!

 Make a List of Alternatives

 It is great to aim for the stars, but sometimes the future is beyond your control. Do everything you can in your power to get that dream job. Start making plans early! However, in case that ideal job is unavailable to you, have a list of alternatives ready. Hopefully, those alternatives are similar to your first choice for employment. If they are not too similar, (let’s say your first choice is working as an engineer for Shell Oil Company and your second alternative is working for NASA as an astronaut), make sure your college education prepares you for both careers. Because of the persistent changes in the job market, you want to make sure your education is marketable to the place you would like to work.

 In conclusion, these few easy tips can make the job application process a piece of cake. If you do a little bit of research on the market before you are looking for employment, you will be more marketable and better prepared to apply for the job opportunities you actually want. Good Luck!

This guest contribution was submitted by Tara Miller, who specializes in writing about psychology degree. Questions and comments can be sent to: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.